Dog walker Robin

Orechkin and her

three dogs: Dexter,

Spencer and Griffin

Walk And Roll

Local dog lover turns her passion
into a business.

Ronelle Grier

Contributing Writer

D

og lover Robin Orechkin
of Bloomfield Hills did not
set out to become an entre-
preneur, but she took the leap a few
months ago when she saw a chance to
turn her passion into a profession. The
result is "Dog Walk and Roll:' a recent-
ly launched dog-walking, dog-sitting,
vet-visiting service for pet owners who
need a little help.
Orechkin said the idea arose dur-
ing one of her frequent walks with her
own three cockapoos: Dexter, Spencer
and Griffin.
"When people in the neighborhood
saw me walking, they asked if the dogs
were mine or if I was a 'dog walker7
she said. "That planted a seed"
The concept grew when she began
stepping in for a few neighborhood
friends who had gone back to work
full time and needed help taking care
of their dogs.
"I was doing it as a favor, just like we
helped each other out when our kids
were little:' she said.
When other neighbors saw her
walking various dogs and began
inquiring about her services, she
decided to take the next step. She
came up with the name "Dog Walk
and Roll" (the tag line is "Let Me Rock
your Dog's World"), printed busi-
ness cards and obtained special dog-
walking insurance. So far she has not
needed to advertise; her client base has
come from word-of-mouth referrals
and responses to flyers she distributed
throughout her neighborhood.
"I can't think of a more perfect per-
son than Robin to entrust one's special
friend to:' said Celia Feuerman, a
neighbor who sought Orechkin's help
four years ago when she returned to
work and needed someone to walk her
golden retriever.

Orechkin takes her responsibilities
for her canine clients very seriously.
She creates an informational record
for each dog, similar to that used by
child care providers, listing allergies,
emergency contact numbers and spe-
cial dietary needs. She also makes note
of any other issues such as aggression,
shyness or a propensity for chasing
cars.
Unlike some professional dog walk-
ers who walk multiple dogs simulta-
neously, Orechkin takes care of one
client at a time. The only time she will
be seen walking more than one dog is
when they belong to the same family.
"Walking too many dogs at once can
be dangerous:' said Orechkin, whose
husband, Mark, is very supportive of
her business. "I believe in quality, not
quantity"
In addition to routine daily walks,
her services include overnight care (at
her home), invisible fence training (for
dogs and owners) and trips to the vet
or groomer. Her previous training as
a medical assistant allows her to give
medication or injections.
Yana Smolitsky of West Bloomfield
retained Orechkin to help with her
two dogs: Ebony, a black and tan mix,
and Bella, an adopted English mastiff
who weighs in at just more than 120
pounds.
"I feel I could truly trust Robin with
my four-legged children based on her
referrals ... and how much she cares
and interacts with my dogs:' Smolitsky
said.
Some clients use Orechkin's services
daily; others call her when they are
going on vacation or have to work late
unexpectedly.
"People want flexibility, and I want
to provide that:' she said. "I'm trying
to make people's lives easier:'
For more information, contact
Robin Orechkin at dogwalkandroll@
gmail.com or call (248) 909-5316.

❑

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November 29 • 2012